Everything you should know about transporting your car to and from Alaska

Transporting your car to and from Alaska can be a complicated and expensive process, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we will cover all the essential information you need to know to successfully transport your car to and from Alaska, including what to look for in a service, the different types of transportation available, and the cost involved. We will also provide tips for making the process easier and more efficient. By the end of this article, you will have a much better understanding of how to transport your car to and from Alaska.

Different options to transport your vehicle

There are many different options available for transporting your vehicle. Depending on your needs, one of the following options may be the best choice for you.

Drive it yourself

Although this is the option if reaching to the destination is possible by road but may not be a viable option to transport your vehicle to and from Alaska. Driving your car to and from Alaska is a daunting task that requires a great deal of planning and preparation. The driver will have to face many challenges, including extreme weather conditions, long distances, and difficult terrain. Extreme cold, snow, and ice can cause hazardous driving conditions, and the long distance can make it difficult to find rest stops and places to refuel. Furthermore, the terrain can range from flat open roads to hilly and winding mountain roads, making it difficult to navigate.

Hire a professional auto transport service

This is the most practical and safest method for transporting your vehicle, as it eliminates the need for you to drive long distances. Hiring a professional auto transport service relieves you of the responsibility of having to find a suitable trailer or towing vehicle, as well as ensuring it is the correct size and weight for your vehicle. Besides, professional auto transport services usually provide insurance coverage for your vehicle and are equipped with the necessary safety measures to ensure your vehicle is transported safely.  

How to be ready to transport your car to and from Alaska

There are a few things that you need to do in order to be ready to transport your car to and from Alaska. Some people might wonder about driving the car all the way to Alaska on their own. However, this is not something that we can recommend, as you will come across numerous obstacles and difficulties on your way. Hence, the best option available for you to consider would be to hire a vehicle carrier. It will provide a seamless experience for you. Along with that, you should also keep the following tips in your mind.

Plan ahead of time

You will need to plan the entire journey ahead of time. This will help you to stay away from the last-minute rush. It would take some time for you to go through the shipping process and you should allow enough time for it.

Pick the right company

There are multiple service providers who can help you with taking your car to and from Alaska. However, you should do your own research and pick the best company out of them. It is possible to go through online reviews and learn more about the company. If there are any doubts, you may directly get in touch with the company and ask as well.

Prepare your vehicle

You should also prepare your vehicle before moving it to Alaska. For example, you will need to change your tires and wipers (if required). Make sure that your vehicle is fully ready to withstand the extreme weather conditions that Alaska can pose.

Documents needed to transport your car

You will need to go through some paperwork to transport your car to and from Alaska. Below mentioned are all the documents that you will need to have with you. Upon request, you should provide these documents to your transport company, so that they can arrange the rest.

·         A copy of your vehicle registration, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and driver’s license.

·         Certificate of ownership

·         A booking reservation confirmation

·         If the vehicle is under a lien, you need to have an authorization form from the lien holder

·         Certificate of registration

·         Signed terms and conditions with the services provider

How much do you have to spend to transport your car to and from Alaska?

One of the very first questions that will come to your mind when you are trying to transport your car from and to Alaska would be the cost. There are a few different factors, which would determine the overall cost. They include:

Type of vehicle

The type of vehicle you try to transport would create a massive impact on the cost to ship a car. If you are trying to ship a small hatchback, you will have to spend a lower amount. But if you are trying to ship a full-sized sedan or an SUV, you will have to spend more money. It all depends on the size and weight of your car. By providing the vehicle’s make, model, and year, you can get a cost estimate from your shipping company.

Shipping Type

You can either ship your car in an open car shipping or an enclosed carrier. An open carrier costs less when compared to an enclosed carrier.

Distance

Distance is another major factor that would contribute to the overall cost of transporting a car to and from Alaska. That’s because distance creates a direct impact on the wages of the driver and the fuel expenses. If the distance is high, you will need to be ready to spend more money on transportation. Distance is usually calculated between the pickup point and the delivery point. In case you are trying to ship the car to and from a remote location, you will have to spend more money on it. Or else, you will be asked to drive the car to the closest boarding point.

Condition of your vehicle

In case your car is not in a position to be driven, you should be ready to spend more money on it for transportation. That’s because your car shipping company will come across the need to load it into a truck and then carry it to the destination. You should be in a position to bear the additional expenses.

Fuel expenses

Fuel expenses would also determine the overall cost of transporting your car to and from Alaska. In case the fuel expenses are high, you should spend more money on shipping. Assume that you are looking forward to transporting a sedan car in an open carrier all the way to Alaska from Los Angeles. Then you will have to spend around $3,000. Likewise, you will have to spend around $3,600 to transport the same car from New York to Alaska. You will be able to get in touch with a car transport company and request a quote. You will usually be able to get an estimate, which will help you with figuring out the exact cost that you have to bear.

Different types of shipping

Car shipping companies will usually offer two different types of shipping. It is up to you to take a look at these two options and pick the best one to take your car. They include:

Open car shipping

When it comes to open car shipping, your car will be loaded onto an open truck. This would expose the car to snow and rain when it is being transported to and from Alaska. However, it is not a major concern, and your vehicle will not have to go through lots of wear and tear. In fact, your car manufacturer is using the exact same method to transport it to the dealership, unless it is a highly valuable car.

Enclosed car shipping

Enclosed car shipping is where your car will be taken to the destination in an enclosed car shipping. This is a good option to consider when you are interested in providing some additional protection to your car. The truck that takes your car will be made out of durable and tough material. As a result, you will be able to provide complete protection to your car against external elements such as snow, rain, and wind. Enclosed-car shipping is usually more expensive when compared to open-car shipping. In other words, you will have to spend around 40% extra money on it. In case you have an expensive, rare, and antique car, this is a good option available to consider.

How to find the best company to ship your car to and from Alaska?

As you can see, hiring a car transportation company is the best option available to ship your car to and from Alaska. While keeping this in mind, you will need to locate the most reliable car shipping company out there to help you. There are a few factors that you will need to consider when trying to find the right service provider. Spending some time locating a service provider can help you to stay away from hassle in the long run. Here are a few tips that you can follow:

Ask for recommendations

If someone you know moved your car to or from Alaska in the recent past, you can get in touch with that person and ask for a recommendation. This will help you to get in touch with a reliable car shipping company, which can provide a hassle-free experience to you.

Go for a licensed and insured company

You never want to risk your car while it is being transported all the way from and to Alaska. This is why it is a must to get in touch with a licensed and insured company to move your car. You should contact the shipping company and ask whether they are licensed and insured. It is also possible to look up the US Dot Number on the website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Check online reviews

It would be a good idea to go through online reviews and see whether the car shipping company has been able to maintain a strong reputation in the past or not. If you can see a lot of positive customer reviews, you may come up with the decision to go ahead with obtaining the service. Make sure that you look up customer reviews on neutral social media platforms and websites.

BBB score

The BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredits companies by assigning a rating to them. You need to check the BBB score of the car shipping company that you are about to hire and see whether it is a trustworthy company or not.

Past experience

It is also a good idea to work with a car shipping company that has been offering its services for quite some time. Such companies have a clear idea of the best way to transport your car to and from Alaska. On the other hand, such companies know how to deal with unexpected situations in the best possible way.

Steps to transport your car to and from Alaska

The overall process of shipping your car to and from Alaska is not a difficult and time-consuming one. You will usually be able to go through this process in a few simple steps. If you can get in touch with the right services provider, you don’t even need to move an inch in order to transport your car thousands of miles. Here is a quick overview of the steps that you will need to follow in order to transport your car to and from Alaska.

Obtain multiple quotes

As the very first thing, you will need to get in touch with multiple car shipping companies and request quotes. The car shipping companies will usually get some basic information, such as your destination and origin and the type of vehicle. Based on that, you will be provided with a quote. The objective here is not to find the cheapest service provider. You should evaluate the cost with many other factors and decide whether the cost is reasonable for the amount that you spend on it.

Confirm a shipping company

After comparing quotes, you will be able to confirm a shipping company. But before you make an initial payment or sign the agreement, you should double-check and go through costs, offerings, and terms. This will help you to stay away from surprises that you may have to encounter in the future.

Make your car ready

Before your car is picked up, you will need to make it ready for transportation. You should remove all personal items and documents from the car. Then you will need to make sure that you keep the fuel tank at least one-fourth full. The battery of your car should be in good condition. You should replace the battery if required. You must also do a proper inspection of the tires. This is where you should ensure that the tires of your vehicle are in perfect shape and condition. You may also take some pictures of your car. In case you encounter any damage, you will be able to use those pictures to deal with your shipping company.

Get the vehicle picked up

On the scheduled day, you will be able to get your vehicle picked up. The car shipping company will usually come to your location and pick up the car. However, this would not happen if you are living in a quite remote area. You will be asked to take the car to the boarding point. After you receive the car, the shipping company will do a proper inspection of it. This is where they will record all sorts of damage within your Bill of Loading. You will need to sign this bill to confirm the shipment. After you sign, your car will be loaded into one of the shipping trucks to be transported all the way to Alaska.

Final words

Now you have a clear idea of how to take your car to and from Alaska. Make sure that you stick to a reliable shipping company like SAKAEM Logistics, which will be able to offer a hassle-free experience with transporting your car. The shipping company will provide you with the opportunity to track the progress of shipment as well. Therefore, you will be able to have a clear idea of where your car is located and stay away from frustration while it is being transported to the destination. 

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